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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Guest Post!!

You all get to see a Guest Post on my blog!! Here it is by Erin Levine. You have probably seen some of her posts on a few other blogs, well I am excited to have her share something on mine!! Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Creative Uses for Round Christmas Ornaments

Guest post by Erin Levine

In just a few months, you'll be snuggling up on the couch with a cup of warm hot chocolate to watch your favorite Christmas movies and friends will be coming over for cookie swaps and holiday parties. But before the Christmas season kicks into high gear, you may want to think about revamping some of those decorations you’ve been using for years. Those round spheres you commonly see on everyone’s trees as Christmas ornaments are the perfect items to repurpose into unique and interesting decorations. Here are five ideas you can do yourself to take those round Christmas ornaments from ordinary to extraordinary this holiday season:

1. "Deck the Halls..."

Christmas ornaments aren’t just for trees. If you have a banister in your home, you can purchase some fancy ribbon and string them all the way down. It can be dangerous to clasp them on the same way that you do with the tree because children and pets would be exposed to the sharp edges. Instead, loop ribbon through the tops and tie them to the main ribbon on the banister! The result is a beautiful garland that adds a Christmas spirit to any stairway in your home.

2. Mosaic Greeting CardsIf you really want to repurpose your old ornaments, consider creating a unique mosaic Christmas card tosend to loved ones. Cut the ornaments up into small pieces with a pair of sharp scissors. Take a hot glue gun and attach some of the sparkly pieces to your Christmas cards for extra flair. Please note that this is extremely dangerous to do with glass, and you should reserve this craft for ornaments made from other materials only. Have your envelopes weighed at the post office to check if you'll need extra postage on them. Friends and family will love these unique Christmas cards, guaranteed.3. Table CenterpiecesIt’s always a beautiful touch to have a festive centerpiece in the middle of your Christmas dining table. For a very simple project that the kids can help you with, fill up the center of a wreath with some Christmas ornaments. Use a hot glue gun for more staying power, placing the ornaments to the sides of the wreath and to one another. Another idea is to purchase a beautiful transparent vase or bowl and fill it up with the Christmas ornaments, adding a bow around the rim for extra elegance.4. Ornament MakeoverDepending upon what your ornaments are made out of, you might be able to redo them. For example,dipping a plain round ornament into glue and then glitter gives it an entirely new look. Visit your local craft store for some more options. You may be able to find some paint that will allow you to actually paint right over the ornament and turn it into whatever you'd like.5. An Outdoor TreeSome people are a bit weary of putting their precious ornaments outside, and the concern is for good reason. Not only are they exposed to the cold elements of winter, but they are also in a place where they can be easily mishandled. However, if you have a barrel of ornaments that you're planning to get rid of otherwise, it's not going to be a big deal if a few of them become damaged or go missing. Whether you have an evergreen on your property or live somewhere that stays warm year-round, any type of tree can be dressed up with some beautiful ornaments. A decorated tree outside your home makes a beautiful natural decoration that your neighbors will love.From the minute you start thinking about Christmas cards until the second you put the finishing touches on your decorations, round Christmas ornaments can really come in handy. Though these ornaments have been around for a long time, it is simple and fun to repurpose them to create brand new Christmas decorations for the coming years.

Erin Levine is a guest author from PaperStyle, a company that sells Christmas invitations, greeting cards,wedding stationery, and more. She loves writing about Christmas and inspiring people to get crafty withtheir holidays decorations!

About Me

I have homeschooled for about 12 years and now have sent my boys to the brick and mortar. I have 3 boys, ages 17, 16 and 13. We love to go to auctions and see what treasures we can find.
I am originally from Washington state (Wenatchee). Been in Ohio since July of 1999.